He said in a low voice, "Jaekyung-ah... I'm sorry I don't remember."

The guy with his eyes still closed immediately snapped, "It doesn't matter."

"Hey, I don't say that to just anyone

Jihon persistently intervened, having sincere intentions. Yes, it is very important to give compliments, but such outrageously good words will only undermine morale.

"The reason is that it was you

Even if Jaekyung didn't believe him, he was still going to clear up the misunderstanding, "I'm not lying. Then you had already broken the record of the national team. I believed that if you continued at the same pace, you would definitely become a medalist at the Asian or even Olympic Games. And this means that you can easily cross the rest of the frontiers."

"If we were discussing the Grand Slam, how did I express myself then?"

Jaekyung, covering his forehead with his palm, broke into a smile.

"Hyung, it was almost like that

"Oh, really?" Once again, I don't say such things to just anyone.

Seeing Jihon's expression, he smiled again, then folded his hands like a pillow, and continued, "It doesn't matter... Even I considered myself a child prodigy at the time."

Jaekyung shifted his gaze to the ceiling and muttered in a low voice, "But I still wanted to achieve more. I had to get to the Olympics, win gold medals to reach the Grand Slam."

Jaekyung stared at the ceiling with concentration, as if he was talking to himself. And then he turned to Jihon: "Regardless of who or what caused it, I don't think it's nonsense. After all, thanks to you, I am pleased with myself."

"That's how it is

"I originally planned to keep it a secret, hyung.

"Yes, I know," replied Jihon with a soft smile.

Suddenly, Jaekyung blurted out the following in an unusually hot tone: "I'm not angry with you for forgetting, but for trying to screw up once you found out about my feelings."

—.. Jaekyung-ah...

"Don't run away. Is it my fault that I like you? I didn't do anything wrong

Jihon silently watched the guy lying next to him. His brown eyes shone between long eyelashes... They were the same as ten years ago: transparent and clear, in which there was not a drop of doubt. Unable to stand it, Jihong pretended to straighten his tie, which he had taken out of his trouser pocket for no reason, and turned away.

— That's right. You didn't do anything wrong.

Jihon's voice sounded perfectly even, "I'm guilty."

When the tie was draped around his neck, Jihong automatically began to tie the knot very slowly. But, in fact, there was no need to put it on again.

"I'm sorry I sent Mina to you without warning. I thought that when we met, we would bring up that topic again. But this is not quite appropriate now, because the championship is already on the horizon.

Despite all his efforts to delay the moment, he tied his tie almost immediately. He leisurely adjusted his collar again and continued, "I would behave the same way with any other athlete. So let's discuss everything after the competition."

"Then you should have treated me like everyone else

He had already fully adjusted his clothes, so there was no point in using them as an excuse to keep his head turned.

«…….»

He sighed and turned around. And indeed, his gaze immediately met Jaekyung.

"You could have asked me directly. Why are you running away?

"Hey, it's not like that

Jihon wanted to justify himself somehow, but his thoughts eluded him. He planned to go to the hospital to increase the dosage in the chip, but he still couldn't force himself.

"Anyway, I'm very sorry

As a result, only apologies came to mind. And before Jaekyung could say anything else, he hurried to put an end to it: "Let's talk about it later, do you mind?"

However, Jaekyung fell silent.

"Hey, answer me

"Kwon Jaekyung, come on. You said yourself that I should have treated you the same way I treat everyone else

"Yes, but I did not promise to listen to your requests

«... Here is a small one.."

This time, Jihong almost grabbed him by the collar. But he managed to hold back his momentum.

"Okay, I agree

Jihong glared at him as if he was wondering, "Are you kidding?"

"Then, starting tomorrow, you should come, not Minho-hyun.

—... His name is Minu. If you need to make him dance to your tune, then you should have remembered his name

"Why?"

"I'll keep calling him that, and it doesn't matter how good he is

"Hey

"Then come in his place." If you don't want to see Minho-hyun in trouble. I'll react the same way, even if you send someone else.

«…….»

"Do you understand what I mean?"

Jihon was speechless. He laughed in despair, then ran his hand over his face.

"Hey, seriously, you... You've never been so open before, but when you decide to speak up, you hit the nail on the head

"It's all because of you, hyung. You pretend to be ignorant, observe from the sidelines, measure distances, calculate time. All you care about is escape routes. So why should I give you a chance to escape?"

Jihon had lost his only opportunity to resist his onslaught. And the final blow was struck again by Jaekyung: "See you tomorrow."

It seemed that he had no intention of continuing at all. In the end, Jihong left the room without hesitation. He was standing in the living room, slightly stunned, when he met Mrs. Shim, who had just returned from a walk.

"Oh, Mr. Chong. Did something happen?

"I just came to see if Jaekyung needs to prepare anything before he goes to sports camp, ma'am

Jihon belatedly regained his composure, a little confused in his testimony.

"God, there's no need for that. If he needs something, he will just buy everything there. The main thing is that he does not forget his medicines.

By "medicine", she meant drugs that reduce sensitivity to pheromones.

"Ma'am, Jaekyung takes them every day, right?"

— Yes, although it is a little troublesome. But it is safer to use them on a regular basis, in terms of composition.

Jihong nodded and continued cautiously, "I'm sorry, ma'am, but are you sure it's effective?"

Mrs. Shim blinked, apparently somewhat puzzled. Jihon immediately explained, "Ah, well, the daily dose may be a little weaker compared to the monthly dose. Has he ever mentioned the smell of other people's pheromones?"

"Never. If the medication is used for a long period, it can change the constitution. And there is a chance that you will completely lose your receptivity. Jaekyung has been on them for almost 10 years, so most likely, there is definitely some influence. He passed the test last year when he came to Korea in the off-season.

"What... What?

"He stopped taking drugs for a week, and then visited the hospital. I don't know what exactly is the matter, but there was practically no reaction to any of the components

As if remembering something belatedly, she continued, "Oh, but there was something. According to the doctor, Asians usually exude a very strong, sweet smell. But this one had a slightly bitter and smoky aroma."

Listening to Mrs. Shim's story, Jihong instinctively lowered his head and chuckled. He thought it would be a fresh and herbaceous scent, but it turned out to be completely different. Should he admire Jaekyung's poetry or worry about his broken sense of smell?

"Only this figure turned out to be characteristically high. Well, at least such a component is still a rarity

"I understand...

He wanted to express relief, but it was stuck somewhere in his throat.

"Anyway, your company must be very busy right now. Jaekyung will be coming to the training camp in two days," fortunately, Mrs. Shim changed the subject.

"No problem, ma'am. Jaekyung is so well prepared.

"Probably he will be calmer, because this time the tournament will be held in his own country.

Mrs. Shim stated this before crossing her arms and sighing, "Ah, come to think of it, there's not much time left."

Obviously, she did not mean the date of the competition directly. She mentioned the last days when Jaekyung will be able to actively participate in sports. She seemed to be lost in her own thoughts for a moment with complex emotions on her face, but then she raised her head and smiled, "Mr. Jeong, please wait a little longer."

The championship will end soon. After that, at least Ji-heon won't have to worry about whether his actions might affect Jaekyung's performance.

Swearing to himself, Jihong replied with the same courtesy: "Yes, ma'am. I'll do my best."